Polling Average
80%60%40%20%0%
38.7%
59%
34.3%
Ohio Democratic Governor nominee?
$46.9K
MAY 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePhysician
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age60 years old (Feb 16, 1966)
GenderFemale
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LocationOhio
BackgroundPhysician
EducationYoungstown State University (undergraduate coursework)
Notable personal detailsAmy Leigh Acton is an American physician and public health leader who served as director of the Ohio Department of Health from 2019 to 2020, leading Ohio’s early COVID-19 response. She attended Youngstown State University, earned her M.D. from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, and later received a Master of Public Health from The Ohio State University. She is the Democratic nominee for Governor of Ohio in the 2026 election cycle.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgysu.edudemocrats.orgwikidata.orgtwitter.comohiodcca.orgwosu.orgwashingtonpost.comstatenews.orgsignalohio.orgohiocapitaljournal.comes.wikipedia.orgtoledofreepress.comideastream.orgwvxu.orgapnews.comboe.ohio.govactonforgovernor.comohio.newswlwt.comopencampaign.comfarmanddairy.comdemocratsworkforamerica.orgbutlercountydems.orgoft-aft.orgnewsforce247.comrivernews.orgstatic.politico.comassets.apnews.comballotready.orgcongress.govfr.wikipedia.orgfec.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgnga.orggovinfo.govhistory.house.govfulcher.house.govbalderson.house.govdocquery.fec.govcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports targeted tax relief for working- and middle-class Ohioans (including property tax relief, expanded homestead exemption, and an expanded child tax credit) while backing public investments to lower costs and grow jobs. Favors using state authority to lower healthcare and energy costs, increase transparency, and hold corporations accountable rather than broad tax cuts for corporations or the wealthy. Emphasizes smart public investment and accountability for economic development programs.
Healthcare
Supports making health care more affordable and accessible in Ohio, protecting and opposing cuts to Medicaid, reducing prescription drug costs and surprise medical bills, and increasing price/transparency controls on hospitals, insurers, and pharmacy benefit managers. Plans to use state authority to expand access to basic care statewide and to address rural health access and maternal/infant outcomes.
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Immigration & Border
Supports enforcing immigration laws against criminals and those present unlawfully while emphasizing that enforcement must be lawful and humane; favors better training and funding for law enforcement to ensure lawful, professional interactions. Public comments stress concern for people being treated humanely and that immigration policy needs careful reform rather than harsh, inhumane tactics.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting reproductive freedom and ensuring access to safe, legal abortion care, contraception, fertility treatments, and miscarriage care; opposes government interference in reproductive health decisions and commits as governor to defend abortion access.
Climate & Energy
Supports conservation of Ohio’s waters and investments in clean-energy and biofuel innovation while backing a diverse energy mix to support Ohioans. Has criticized cuts to Great Lakes and H2Ohio funding and emphasizes lowering energy costs for families alongside investments and innovation in renewable and biofuel industries.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports fully funding police and rebuilding public safety partnerships while also saying she will pursue “common sense reforms to reduce the scourge of gun violence.” Specific positions on policies such as universal background checks, assault weapons bans, red flag laws, or constitutional carry are not detailed on the campaign site or in cited materials reviewed here.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 12, 2026
Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign has raised $19.8 million in 2025, with a significant portion from small donors. He holds a cash advantage over Democratic candidate Amy Acton, who has raised $5.3 million. Acton is considered the likely Democratic nominee after Tim Ryan decided not to run.
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Polls
Ohio Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising